On September 15, 2016 (Thursday), the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and city of Tokyo held a live site event at Citizen Square in Kotodai Park, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, as a part of Tokyo 2020 Live Sites in 2016 -Rio to Tokyo-.

Swimming, track & field, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis, and other sporting events were broadcast live on a large display screen. Visitors that gathered at the venue wildly cheered on the Japanese athletes. The crowd roared each time an athlete won a medal. In addition, there was an area set up for visitors to try out wheelchair basketball and Boccia. Visitors were immersed in the allure of Paralympic sports.

On stage, local university students from Miyagi University, which has a partnership agreement with the organising committee, entertained visitors. The Suzume Odori (sparrow dance) club, Ko-Suzume, performed the Sendai Sparrow Dance, a revival of the traditional folk sparrow dance. The Tohoku University gospel group GO∞HIP, pronounced liked gossip, also performed. Spectators joined in clapping their hands in time with the rhythm and dancing to the music. The venue was packed with excitement.
There was also a talk show event. Former professional baseball player, Kazutomo Miyamoto, was the special guest. Mr. Miyamoto also played on the baseball team that won a gold medal at the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympic Games. He talked about his memories of playing in the Olympics and enthusiastically discussed his hopes for the Tokyo 2020 games. The last stage performance was given by members of the taiko group, Hiryudan, from Nishiyama Gakuin High School, Miyagi Prefecture. The high school students avid and heartfelt performance cheered on the Paralympians that were battling it out on the other side of the world.

The Tokyo 2020 Live Sites in 2016 -Rio to Tokyo- will run through the remainder of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Events will be held at Ueno Park and Showa Kinen Park in Tokyo and Azuma Gymnasium (Fukushima Prefecture). We hope you will all come out and join in the festivities.
See our special site, Facebook, and Twitter for event dates, times, and other details (in Japanese only)!